NEWPORT – Paul J. Pepin, 80, went peacefully to be with our Lord Nov. 20, 2010, at his residence. He was born Dec. 20, 1929, in Rumford, a son of Paul and Alma (Hebert) Pepin. Paul graduated from Stephens High School in 1949, where he was a top athlete playing basketball, baseball and football. He later played in the semi-pro baseball league. After high school he worked for one year in Connecticut before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the Battleship USS New Jersey – the most decorated battleship in naval history – during the Korean War and was the recipient of the Korean Occupational Ribbon, three battle stars and the Korean Presidential Unit of Citation, among others. He returned to school after his discharge and graduated from Maine Central Institute preparatory school in 1955 and the University of Maine, Orono, in 1959. On Feb. 25, 1956, he married Joyce Holman of Dixfield. He taught school and coached in Searsport for two years before moving to Newport in 1961. While coaching in Searsport, his boys’ basketball team won the Waldo County Regional Playoffs at the Bangor Auditorium. He was so respected by his students; they dedicated the yearbook to him when he left. Paul was a science teacher at Newport High School and Nokomis Regional High School from 1961 until his retirement in 1992. He coached boys’ basketball at Newport High School and girls’ softball championship teams at Nokomis High School. He coached girls’ basketball for six years. The first three years there were no girls’ tournaments, but his team won the Penquis League Championship two of the three years, with a three-year record of 52 and 3. The following three years, they participated in the Bangor tournament all three years. Paul was a communicant of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Pittsfield, a part-time usher, a lifelong member and past deputy grand of Knights of Columbus, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 11191, was active in the past as a member of Parish Council, CCD teacher, head of the Catholic Youth Organization, was a Cub Scout committee member, coached Little League baseball and P.A.L. basketball championship teams, and was a volunteer at Sebasticook Valley Community Center. Paul was a homebody and enjoyed family, camping trips, sports, fishing, painting, computer games, crossword puzzles, his pets, coaching and teaching. One of his greatest rewards was when former students visited him and told him what a difference he had made in their lives. He said if he could reach even one student, it made it all worthwhile … and he did reach many. He was a good man and will be greatly missed. He is survived by two sons, Michael Pepin of Oakland and David Pepin of Newport; two daughters and their husbands, Cheryl and Francis Gonzalez of Newport and Sandi and Brett Crosby of Hermon; six grandsons, Christopher and wife, Jinger Pepin, Jeremy Pepin, Kyle Pepin, Nick Gonzalez, Tony Gonzalez and Andrew Crosby; five granddaughters, Kristina Gonzalez, Kerianne Pepin, Katie Crosby, Rachelle Pepin and Brianna Pepin; two great-grandsons, Silas and Hayden Pepin; two great-granddaughters, Natalea Pepin and Faith Neans; a sister, Anita Goudreau of Quebec; and a brother, Roger Pepin of Rumford. Paul was predeceased by his wife, Joyce, June 10, 2009. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport, with the Rev. Kent Ouellette officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.
PAUL JOSEPH PEPIN
